Data centers in the United States are consuming an increasingly large share of the nation’s electricity supply. Current projections suggest that by 2030, these facilities could account for as much as 9% of annual U.S. electricity generation, up significantly from 4% in 2023. The power demands stem from both computing operations and the substantial cooling requirements needed to maintain equipment performance.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, working alongside scientists from multiple national laboratories and universities, have made progress on fuel cell technology that could help address this growing energy demand. Published in Nature Nanotechnology on Aug. 6, 2026, their work focuses on improving the catalysts that enable fuel cells to convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity. The research team was led by Gang Wu, the Elvera and William R. Stuckenberg Professor in the McKelvey School of Engineering.
A key challenge in fuel cell development involves designing catalysts that balance high performance with long-term durability. Platinum is an effective catalyst material but expensive, so researchers seek to use minimal quantities while maintaining effectiveness. The team developed a new carbon structure consisting of porous hollow spheres with orderly radial nanochannels that can support platinum-cobalt intermetallic nanoparticles. This design allows researchers to heat the catalyst to 1000°C, enabling the formation of highly ordered atomic structures while keeping nanoparticles smaller than 5 nanometers and evenly distributed.
Testing revealed that the material retained 85% of its performance after 150,000 severe voltage cycles, estimated to correspond to approximately 25,000 hours of operation. The open channel structure of the carbon support also facilitates better movement of ions, protons, oxygen, and water through the electrode. If further development proves successful, this fuel cell technology could enable data centers to generate their own electricity directly from hydrogen or other fuels, thereby reducing pressure on the electrical grid. Wu has filed a patent on the technology through the WashU Office of Technology Management.
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